UK and Australia collaborate to accelerate advanced materials integration

Defence research and development ties between the UK and Australia are already strong, but have been strengthened further under a bilateral international program to accelerate the integration of advanced materials into military platforms.

Nine teams of partners across both nations have received Phase 2 funding worth a total of £1.48 million (A$2.82 million) from the UK and Australian governments to develop innovative proposals covering integration of composites, adhesives for structural joining, joining high temperature structures and improving armour systems.

In the UK successful consortia are:

Foresight Innovations Limited, Hephaestus Consulting, Nottingham Trent University and Matrix Composites
TWI Limited
University of Surrey and QinetiQ
Zentraxa Limited and QinetiQ Australia

Successful Australian teams are:

Western Sydney University, Imperial College London, Metrologi Pty Ltd, UNSW and AirBus Australia Pacific
Qinetiq Australia Pty Ltd and RMIT
University of New South Wales, Imperial College London, Advanced Composite Structures Australia Pty Ltd
University of Adelaide, Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL – France) and Materials Science Institute
RMIT University and BAE Systems Pty Ltd

This program is jointly funded by the Australian Next Generation Technologies Fund run by DST Group; and the Ministry of Defence Materials for Strategic Advantage programme in the UK. Both nations used a common assessment framework managed by the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). Assessment and Moderation of the competition was carried out collaboratively by Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) in the UK and DST Group in Australia.

The UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP, said:

“The UK and Australia have an enduring defence relationship. As we take on a range of new challenges, I am delighted we will be working together to ensure our personnel are armed with the most advanced technologies.

“These joint challenge projects represent both countries’ innovative visions for the future, whilst supporting our academic and industry partners.”

Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said the joint research proposals demonstrated the close practical cooperation between defence industry and universities across Australia and the UK.

“These joint challenge projects have not only strengthened our bilateral defence relationship but provide support to each country’s respective defence industries to overcome capability challenges we face.

“Academic and industry partners are vitally important to both defence forces. Through the Next Generation Technologies Fund the Australian Government is committed to providing the best capability possible to the men and women who serve our nation.”

The Joint Effort gives both nations access to international research using a total pooled fund of around £2.52 million (cA$4.79 million) from the two phases of the competition so far. Across the themes, individual proposals were also chosen to support mutual reliance with one nation taking the lead. The new projects start in the financial year 2020/21 and run for up to two years.

Newcastle man jailed for longer

News story

Dean Stewart has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

A Newcastle man has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Dean Stewart, 25, assaulted Ryan Covell in the early hours of 15 June 2020 during an argument. Stewart lashed out with a knife using considerable force to stab Ryan Covell in the neck and lacerate his liver, as well as inflicting wounds from behind, causing life changing injuries.

Stewart has 27 previous convictions for violence, robbery and assault, and was subject to a suspended sentence at the time of his attack.

Stewart was convicted of wounding with intent and sentenced to 7 years and 10 months’ imprisonment on 30 November 2020 at Newcastle Crown Court.

Following the court’s decision, the Solicitor General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. On 17 February 2021 the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and increased to 10 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

Stewart’s vicious actions have blighted a young man’s life. Ryan Covell has suffered life changing injuries, and so I welcome the Court’s decision to increase Stewarts’ sentence.

Published 17 February 2021

Upper Tamar rivers to benefit from fishery and habitat improvements

Press release

Three tributaries of the River Tamar in Devon are about to be improved thanks to a new partnership project supported by the Environment Agency.

Clear river lined with trees on river bank — The health of Tamar’s tributaries are key to helping fish numbers recover

Working alongside the Westcountry Rivers Trust and local angling associations, Environment Agency officers are helping to boost fish numbers on the Rivers Deer, Claw and Carey through a targeted programme of habitat and ecological improvements.

The project is part-funded with £38,000 from the Environment Agency’s Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP) which reinvests rod licence money into projects which benefit anglers and fish stocks. The FIP money has been matched by partners including local fishing associations.

Bruce Stockley at Westcountry Rivers Trust said:

Numbers of salmon and trout have dropped significantly on the Tamar over recent years. By working in partnership with farmers and landowners we can make it a place where fish can thrive again.

Rob Price, Catchment Coordinator for the Environment Agency said:

This work is part of an integrated approach addressing a range of environmental pressures facing the Upper Tamar water bodies. We are working closely with our catchment and Defra partners.

We have held a number of mapping workshops and shared information and expertise to help the Westcountry Rivers Trust and angling associations target much needed habitat improvements and will remain on hand to provide advice to the lead partner.

Work on the project is due to start this month and will include tree planting, bank repairs to reduce erosion, sediment management and replenishing important fish spawning gravels.

Both the Claw and Carey were found to be in poor ecological condition following assessments carried out in 2019. The River Deer was classified as being in a moderate condition. All 3 water bodies were assessed as failing fish under the Water Framework Directive.

Rob Price said:

Planned enhancements over the next 3 years should have a positive influence both on ecological performance of these rivers and the number of anglers utilising them.

Published 17 February 2021

Our award-winning apprentices

Two Sellafield Ltd apprentices were successful at the Gen2 Awards and a further two were shortlisted this week.

Steffan Lomas was the winner of the Learner of the Year Award at Energus. This award is given to the most outstanding apprentice at each centre. This is someone who has shown outstanding commitment and ability, has the best positive attitude and behaviours and is an advocate for learning and an example to others.

Steffan is in the second year of his Electrical and Instrumentation apprenticeship. He said:

It was a huge surprise to be entered for and to win this award. I didn’t know I’d been nominated until someone rang me to tell me. There are lots of amazing apprentices at Gen2, so it was a real honour to win.

I’ve not yet visited Sellafield, but I am looking forward to getting there in June or July this year.

Charlotte Chan was the winner of the Learner Extra Mile Award. This award is designed to highlight the Gen2 learner who has gone the ‘extra mile’ during the last 12 months.

Charlotte said:

I wasn’t expecting to win, so that was great news. I am really positive about my work and my apprenticeship, so I think that must have been something that the judges liked, as well as the charity fundraising, I’ve undertaken this year.

I am only in the first year of my craft apprenticeship, but despite the strange times, am really enjoying it. We’re been given lots of interesting work and research to keep us busy.

These awards were presented by Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland.

Rhianne O’Neill and Kate Martin were both shortlisted for the Learner Journey Award. This award is designed to highlight the Gen2 learner who has had the greatest ‘learner journey’.

All of the Gen2 applications were submitted by the trainers and lecturers for their learners.

At the same time, two Sellafield Ltd apprentice firefighters were showcased at the SFJ Awards.

Both Macy Baker and Nathan McCarry were promoted as firefighter champions by the organisation.

Macy said:

The best part of my apprenticeship has been seeing how much my colleagues and I have progressed from knowing very little basic skills to now being able to complete complex tasks and drills successfully and seeing how much we have learned.

I hope to continue progressing in my role by applying for extracurricular exams and courses to gain even more skills and become more confident in certain aspects of the job I haven’t had as much time to focus on.

I would advise anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship to just go for it, even though it may seem difficult, if you put the time and hard work in you will succeed!

Nathan said:

I found the apprenticeship really good, particularly meeting new people, gaining different skills, qualifications, and learning about different aspects of firefighting.

I’d like to continue to get qualifications on more advanced roles in the job such as rope rescue and also get my HGV licence to allow me to drive the appliances.

You can read their full stories on the SFJ Awards website.

Donna Connor, Sellafield Ltd head of education, said:

I am delighted for all of our award-winning apprentices. I know they are all very worthy of their success. They are doing an amazing job, progressing their learning and skills development in incredibly difficult times. >

They really are the testament to the company. It’s great to know with have this calibre of apprentice coming through the system, ready to help deliver our mission.

Near miss at Coltishall user worked level crossing

News story

Investigation into a near miss at Coltishall user worked level crossing, Norfolk, 21 January 2021.

Forward facing CCTV image from the train as it approached the crossing (courtesy of Greater Anglia)

At around 17:21 hrs on 21 January 2021, a passenger train narrowly avoided colliding with two cars at Coltishall user worked crossing, near Norwich. At the time of incident, the crossing, which is on a public road, was seeing higher than normal levels of road traffic due to the temporary closure of a nearby main road.

CCTV evidence shows that the first car cleared the crossing around three seconds before the train passed and that the second car, which was approaching the railway from the same direction as the first, stopped clear of the crossing as the train approached. No one was injured and no damage was caused by the incident.

Coltishall user worked crossing is fitted with telephones. Vehicle users are directed by signs to use these telephones to obtain permission from the signaller before opening the crossing gates and crossing the railway. RAIB has been unable to find any evidence that a request to use the crossing was made by the drivers of the cars involved in this incident.

Our investigation will aim to determine the sequence of events that led to the incident. It will consider how the crossing was being managed by Network Rail, including how risks associated with a user worked crossing on a public road were assessed and mitigated. It will also consider the presence of user worked crossings on public roads more generally and any other relevant underlying issues.

Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.

Published 17 February 2021